We have Travellers,Vans and Pickup`s.
All of these were purchased as projects and fully restored my myself.
It is a change now and again to purchase a vehicle you can enjoy straight away before restoring it.
I have always liked the early split screen saloons, especially with the early type dashboards.
We just love the seats in these early cars, so much better than the later vinyl designed seats fitted in the 1960`s vehicles.
The headlining is so different as well.
And that grill is great too.
I heard of one locally to us last year but missed it.
This time there was no chance of that happening again.
We knew of an elderly gentleman who was giving up driving and owned a 1953 Morris Minor saloon.
He purchased the car in 1962.
Yesterday morning I heard he was going to part with it.
I arranged a visit straight away and a deal was done.
I picked up the car this afternoon.
It is on the road and drives very well.
It is very original and very solid.
The underside is in very good order and very solid, the engine bay is also very original with no patch repairs and very sound.
There is certainly no welding to carry out, which makes a change for me.
It has been maintained by the same garage since 1962.
We have all the history with the car, including the first sales invoice.
There are some cosmetic items to address.
As can be seen a replacement drivers seat is required.
I do not want to fit a new cover on the seat,it just would not match the rest of the car.
The sales invoice dated 5th November 1962 shows the gentleman purchased the car for the grand sum of £225 and 12 shillings.
To have the front and rear bumpers reconditioned was £5.00.
Oil came to 12 shillings.
An MOT certificate dated 23 rd December 1963.
We have all the documentation from 1962 to the present day.
I think earlier documents may be found shortly by the seller.
The previous owner list shows it was purchased new in York by a Ina Harrowell on the 28th Jan 1954.
The second owner Ina Crombie became the custodian on the 21st April 1959.
The third driver was a Alyne Winter who came into ownership of the car ion the 6th January 1961.
The gentleman we purchased the car from purchased the car on the 21st November 1962.
The total mileage to date is 46,995 miles.
The original 803cc engine was removed 25,000 miles ago.
A larger 948cc was fitted for more reliability and ease of getting parts.
The old engine did come with the car, but the slightly larger engine is so much better for regular use.
We are not going to over restore the car.
We intend to find good secondhand items instead that need replacing to try and keep the patina of the car.
In the meantime the car will be used as is.
M.M
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